Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Imperial Gem Lavender: Deep Purple Spikes for Hedges and Bundles
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Imperial Gem lavender is an English lavender with some of the darkest purple flowers in the classic group, held on tall, fragrant spikes above narrow, aromatic gray-green leaves. It grows into a compact, bushy evergreen mound, so it looks neat in a row and full in a single clump.
Botanically it is Lavandula angustifolia 'Imperial Gem'. It holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit and an H5 hardiness rating, and it is listed for USDA zones 5a to 9b. For Great Lakes gardens that means a lavender you can plant once and enjoy for years, as long as the drainage is right.
Imperial Gem at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'Imperial Gem' |
| Flower color | Deep purple to dark violet |
| Foliage | Gray-green, narrow and aromatic, evergreen |
| Size | About 22 to 24 inches tall and 30 inches wide |
| Stem length | About 14 inches |
| Bloom | Begins late June to mid-July and peaks from early July into early August, with high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b |
| Best uses | Fresh bouquets, dried flowers, culinary, oil |
Why Imperial Gem earns a spot
Dark color is the headline. Deep purple lavender holds its tone when dried, so Imperial Gem bundles stay rich instead of fading to gray. It is rated excellent for both fresh and dried flowers, and its 14-inch stems are long enough to bunch and hang without fuss.
It is also a strong all-rounder. As an English lavender it rates great for culinary use, and its oil suitability is rated excellent. Bees work it hard all through bloom, and deer tend to pass it by. The listing's bloom timing varies between early July and early August, which mostly reflects how much spring and summer weather shift it from year to year.
Planting and spacing
Choose a spot with six to eight hours of direct sun and soil that drains within minutes after a heavy rain. Sandy or gravelly loam is ideal; heavy clay needs a raised bed or a generous mound of improved soil. Space plants about 30 inches apart for individual mounds, or a little closer, around 24 inches, if you want a continuous low hedge along a path.
Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, water deeply and keep mulch, compost and leaves off the woody base. The USDA Zone Finder confirms your zone if you are unsure.
Through the seasons
- First summer: water deeply whenever the top few inches dry out. Plugs need closer watching than gallon plants.
- Established plants: water needs are low. Most years, rainfall is enough.
- After bloom: cut spent stems and shape the mound, staying in leafy growth. A light trim can bring on a second, smaller round of flowers.
- Winter: English lavender needs a cold winter to flower well, so Michigan's chill is a help, not a hurdle. Drainage keeps it alive.
The Pruning Calendar lays out when and how hard to cut.
Harvest for bundles and the kitchen
For dried bundles and culinary buds, cut on a dry morning when the buds are fully colored and only the first few flowers have opened. Gather small bunches, band them and hang them upside down somewhere dark and airy. Dark varieties like this one keep the most color when they dry out of direct light. For cooking, use only plants grown as a food crop and start with a small pinch.
Plants, plugs and trays
Imperial Gem comes as individual plants (3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots) and as full trays for growers: a 72-cell plug tray and a 20-cell plug tray with larger cells. Home gardeners usually start with pots; trays suit anyone planting rows or potting up their own stock. See the product pages for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is Imperial Gem a good culinary lavender?
Yes. It is an English lavender with a great culinary rating. Harvest buds before most flowers open and use them sparingly.
How does it compare to Hidcote?
Both are compact, dark purple English lavenders. Use the Compare tool to see size, stem length and bloom timing side by side.
Can I grow it as a hedge?
Yes. Its compact, bushy habit makes a tidy low hedge. Space plants about 24 inches apart and shear lightly after each bloom.
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